18 Mar 23

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

9.0°C > 12.0°C:  Low overcast from the 'Telford hat' much of the time. A very few clearer spells. Almost calm. Very good visibility.

Sunrise:  06:18 GMT

* = a species photographed today.

Since my previous visit on Thursday Chiffchaffs have arrived in some numbers. At least nine at the Balancing Lake: and four at The Flash. Species numbers 73 and 58 respectively at these locations. Some birds would almost certainly have been present yesterday: the daily Belvide blog reported an influx of 11 birds. One rather puzzling feature was seeing two apparently non-singing birds at the lake. Typically it is singing males that arrive first and establish a territory before the non-singing females arrive some days later to make their choice. It is perhaps possible that these non-singing birds were males more intent on feeding than singing after their journey from the Mediterranean basin.

Priorslee Balancing Lake:  05:25 – 08:50

(65th visit of the year)

I was told there was a small gathering of bird-watchers here yesterday morning. What did I miss?

Other bird notes:
- A Stock Dove was calling from trees near the Teece Drive gate.
- I am not sure why there were so few Black-headed Gulls. I did wonder whether they had moved out to their breeding areas but numbers seen a few hours later at The Flash were rather higher than on previous visits.
- The Cetti's Warbler sang frequently from the north-west area. What I assume was the same bird also worked its way along the South side. It was back in the north-west area later.
- After weeks of good numbers of Siskins I noted just one male today.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 47 Wood Pigeons: of these 18 flew North together
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Cormorants: singles
- 1 Common Buzzard again
- 2 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook

Warblers noted (the number of these singing in brackets):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 9 (7) Chiffchaffs

Counts from the lake area:
- 6 Canada Geese: a pair; a trio and a single paired with...
- 1 Greylag Goose: this odd couple flew off
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 10 (7♂) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Duck only
- 12 Moorhens
- 60 Coots again
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 12 Black-headed Gulls only
- 1 Cormorant: arrived

Noted on the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- *1 Common Flat-body moth (Agonopterix heracliana)
Two other small moths seen in flight. A disappointing haul for a mild and cloudy morning. It had rained in the night so perhaps that is why.

In the sailing club shelter pre-dawn:
- *two Bridge Orb-web Spiders (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- *several of the same unidentified spider sp.

Noted in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel
- *a cranefly sp. most likely Tipula rufina.
- *my first owl midge Psychodidae sp. of the year

Notes elsewhere:
- *2 species of fly on the street lamp poles: more than 50 individuals involved.
- 100's of midges / mosquitoes dancing above me.
- *1 Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

I did mange one half-decent bird photo in the gloom. A male Greenfinch. There seems to be just two territories of this much declined species.

The Common Flat-body moth (Agonopterix heracliana) on a street lamp pole pre-dawn.

During a brief brighter spell I noted at least 50 of these small unidentified flies on the street lamp poles, presumably warming themselves. I have no idea what species. When looking at this photo I noted an unusual daytime sighting of a tiny springtail to the fly's left.

The only other species of fly with them was this much larger and hairier fly. Note the banded abdomen. Sadly that does not help much with its identification. I suspect a Muscid fly. There are many to choose from, many of which are not illustrated.

Tipula rufina is a Spring-flying cranefly with patterned wings and this is quite likely one. I found this in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel.

Also on a wall of the Priorslee Avenue tunnel was my first owl midge Psychodidae sp. of the year.

There were five of these spiders in the sailing club shelter pre-dawn and...

...two of these which I think are Bridge Orb-web Spiders (Larinioides sclopetarius).

Although this creature seemed to be hopping the warty appearance suggests it is a Common Toad (Bufo bufo).

I do find them harder to separate than the literature suggests but from this angle the key feature of a Common Frog (Rana temporaria) would be a dark smudge behind the eye. Since this lacks that it is confirmed as a toad.

Somewhat overblown catkins from one of the several species of willow growing around the area. I cannot identify which species is involved.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 08:55 – 09:55

(60th visit of the year)

*I also added Little Egret to my 2023 bird list here when a distant bird flew North at 09:50. Species #59.

Other bird notes:
- *A pair Shoveler noted. Are these new in or have they been lurking somewhere for the last few days?
- A Stock Dove was calling from the East side wooded area.
- A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling at the top end.
- Two Jays flew South over the medical practice.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- *1 Little Egret
- 4 Jackdaws: singles

Warblers noted (the number of these singing in brackets):
- 4 (4) Chiffchaffs

Noted on / around the water
- 21 Canada Geese
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- *2 (1♂) Shoveler
- 19 (15♂) Mallard only
- 1 all-white duck (Peking(?) Duck)
- 43 (24♂) Tufted Duck
- *6 (2♂) Goosander: both drakes were first year birds
- 12 Moorhens
- 26 Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 68 Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls: one third year and one second year again
- 4 Cormorants

On / around the street lamp poles or of note elsewhere
Nothing noted

It is difficult to be certain what this is up against the island. I have a strong suspicion that it is a dead Canada Goose. I sort of hope that it has been killed by the cob Mute Swan and not an indication we may have bird flu.

The pair of Shoveler 'shovelling'.

A duck Goosander leads one of the two first year drakes.

I did a double-take when I looked at this photo of the Little Egret that I noted flying away. Are those legs too long suggesting it is a Great Egret after all? Critical examination shows the bill is all dark and the relatively small feet are paler even if not evidently yellow. Also the drawn-back neck does not droop down so I can rest easy that it is a Little Egret.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

2014
Priorslee Lake
2 Gadwall
(John Isherwood)

The Flash
2 Teal
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
2 Lapwing
Green Woodpecker
Linnet
Meadow Pipit
Red-legged Partridge
Stock Dove
(John Isherwood)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Mediterranean Gull
1 Iceland Gull
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
7 Wigeon 
21 Tufted Ducks 
Chiffchaff 
(Ed Wilson/John Isherwood)

The Flash
2 Pochard 
1 Greater Scaup 
69 Tufted Duck 
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
20 Linnets
Meadow Pipit
Fieldfare
Redwing
Lapwing
(John Isherwood)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
1 Caspian Gull
(Tom Lowe)

2010
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebe
6 Gadwall
22 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
2 Great Crested Grebe
1 Pochard
23 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
4 Tufted Duck
1 Green Woodpecker
9 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Tit
4 Buzzard
24 Wren
24 Robin
21 Blackbird
33 Redwing
39 Magpie
6 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
c.2500 Black-headed Gulls
605 Lesser-black backed Gulls
5 Herring Gulls
3rd Winter Lesser-black backed Gull Larus fuscus race: heuglini (Siberian Gull)
7 Pochard
34 Tufted Duck
6 Great Crested Grebe
2 Little Grebe
1 Cormorant
7 Siskins
(Martin R Adlam)